KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 255 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 3x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth. During the 2018-2019 school year, and for the third year in a row, KIPP Columbus had the highest amount of academic growth of any community school in Ohio.

The mission of KIPP Columbus is to create a system of schools where students develop the intellectual, academic, and social skills needed to understand and take action on issues they encounter in everyday life. By establishing a rigorous, safe, and personalized learning environment, KIPP Columbus will foster a culture of responsibility and service and empower all students to become active and engaged citizens. Our vision is to ensure that all students in our community will have access to a transformational education that empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in college and life.

The Opportunity 

The Elementary Assistant School Leader serves as a key member of the elementary school leadership team and is responsible for facilitating a culture of constant learning and collaboration with students, instructional staff, families, and community members.  The Elementary Assistant School Leader serves as a model teacher and coach, leading individuals and teams to perform at high levels.  In partnership with the school leadership team, the Assistant School Leader maintains a concrete vision of excellence, strong adult leadership, and the ability to build outstanding relationships with students, teachers, and families.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Instructional Planning and Coaching

• Serve as a model teacher, demonstrating and sharing best practices

• Lead staff members through goal setting, coaching, feedback, and evaluation to continuously improve their craft

• Identify, develop, and facilitate professional development opportunities for staff members that align to yearly school goals and priorities

• Support in the collection, analysis, and evaluation of school performance data to make holistic and individual recommendations for improving instructional practices

Positive School Culture

• Plan and lead school-wide events, celebrations, and gatherings

• Manage student behavior systems in partnership with the School Leader

• Guide and promote character development of students through deliberate programming practices and by coaching teachers in developing stronger relationships with students

• Provide support for teachers with students who need additional behavior assistance

• Model, promote, and coach others toward effective communication with families, cultivating engagement in their child’s success and the KIPP Columbus mission.

School Leadership Team

• In partnership with the School Leader, ensure alignment of school practices to school-wide priorities

• Embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion work of the school and organization

• Support day-to-day operations of the school, as designated by the School Leader

• Serve as a key member of the school leadership team, representing the school to a variety of audiences and supporting all necessary functions for school management and success

The following are required of all applicants:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

• Minimum of three years of successful, full-time, lead teaching experience in low-income communities

• Experience in a teacher leadership or other leadership role, such as Dean, highly preferred.

• Strong track record of results and leadership in a school setting

• Experience in analyzing student data and using data to inform instruction

• Belief that outstanding school leaders, staff, and teachers can achieve excellent outcomes for all students

• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community

• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students.

• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities

• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy)

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off.  

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.